Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ireland)

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ( _ga. An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Iascach agus Bia) is a department of the Government of Ireland. The mission of the Department is to lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agri-food sector and to contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society. It is led by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who is assisted by two Ministers of State.

Departmental Team

The official headquarters and Ministerial offices of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. The Departmental team consists of the following:
*Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: Brendan Smith, TD
**Minister of State for Fisheries and Forestry: Tony Killeen, TD
**Minister of State for Food and Horticulture: Trevor Sargent, TD

*Secretary General of the Department: Tom Moran

Overview

In carrying out its mandate the Department undertakes a variety of functions including:

*policy advice and development on all areas of Departmental responsibility
*representation in the international arena, especially European Union and national negotiations
*development and implementation of national and EU schemes in support of agriculture, food, rural development and rural environment
*monitoring and controlling aspects of food safety
*control and audit of public expenditure under its control
*regulation of the agriculture and food industries through national and EU legislation;
*monitoring and controlling animal and plant health and animal welfare
*monitoring and direction of state bodies engaged in the following areas: research training and advice, market development and promotion, industry regulation and development and commercial activities
*direct provision of support services to agriculture and food.

History

The Department of Agriculture was created at one of the very first meetings of Dáil Éireann in 1919 with Robert Barton as the first Minister for Agriculture, Horace Plunkett as the department's First Vice-President and T. P. Gill as its First Secretary

Over the years its name has changed several times, however, the role of the Department has remained the same. The Department was previously known as the following:

*Department of Agriculture (1919–1924)
*Department of Lands and Agriculture (1924–1930)
*Department of Agriculture (1930–1965)
*Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (1965–1977)
*Department of Agriculture (1977–1987)
*Department of Agriculture and Food (1987–1993)
*Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (1993–1997)
*Department of Agriculture and Food (1997–1999)
*Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (1999–2002)
*Department of Agriculture and Food (2002–2007)
*Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (2007–present)

External links

* [http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/ Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]